Outnumbered to return for Christmas special

'Outnumbered' is set to make a one-off return later this year, two years on from when it last hit screens

'Outnumbered' is to return for a one-off Christmas special.

The hilarious sitcom will bound back on to screens later this year as fans tap into the lives of Jake, Ben and Karen (played by Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez, respectively) once again and see what dramas they're causing their parents Pete and Sue (Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner) two years on from the last series in 2014.

The show's creator Andy Hamilton said: "The first reaction [when it turns up at Christmas] will probably be, 'My God, the kids are huge now!'

"The second reaction will be the one the writers have been getting since the series started in 2007: 'I reckon you must have cameras in our house.'

"I remember writing a scene with [director] Guy [Jenkin] where Karen had been knocked down. The two parents start reminiscing about the number of times they've managed to maim their children. Me and Guy pooled our experiences - I left our eldest behind on an island, and put that in."

And, although the pair aren't planning to make a whole series for the comedy, which ran from 2007 until 2014, Andy hopes to pen a special every few years.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, he explained: "Our plan is to pop in every couple of years and see how the family is getting on. You learn not to think too far ahead, but who knows? Many years down the line there'll be an episode where Karen becomes a grandmother."